Supporting
Distance Learning

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, schools across America shifted to distance learning. But some students couldn’t participate because their families didn’t subscribe to the internet. That’s why internet service providers are partnering with schools, school districts and other community partners to connect students across the country to broadband.

Connecting America's Students

Distance learning partnerships help ensure that every student can use broadband to learn from home

What is being done to connect students?

Broadband companies already provide a significant portion of American families with high-speed internet. Now, they are expanding broadband adoption programs for low-income families and working with schools to ensure that every student can participate in distance learning. These partnerships will mean that every student can use to internet to learn, connect with teachers and continue their education from home.

How do distance learning partnerships work?

Partnering with broadband providers allows school districts to rapidly connect their students to high-speed internet.

The school district identifies students and families in need of an internet connection. Partnering broadband providers then step-in to get those households connected, often for little or no cost as the school district pays the monthly service fee. In some cases, families can also get a laptop computer at low-or-no cost.

How can I make a difference?

Our community is keeping track of distance learning partnerships across the country. We will need your voice to ensure these partnerships continue through the pandemic and connect students for the long-term.

You can sign up to receive updates and alerts about ways to get involved in the future.

Making Internet Affordable for Everyone*

Select your state to display information on internet programs for eligible families

Adoption Programs
*Programs are available to qualified individuals and families
NH
VT
MA
RI
CT
NJ
DE
MD
DC

What You Need to Know

8
million Americans
have been connected by low-cost broadband adoption programs
Source: NCTA
$
10–20
per month
the average cost of programs that help low-income families afford broadband
Source: NCTA
25/3
Mbps
the average internet speed offered by programs that connect low-income families
Source: NCTA

Explore Stories About Distance Learning

Learn more about partnerships that benefit students and families across America

Aug
31
2022
Access to Distance Learning – How Students Are Staying Connected
Over the course of a week in March 2020, schools across the country had to unexpectedly close their doors amidst the start of the COVID... Read More
May
26
2022
The Affordable Connectivity Program:
Who’s Eligible, and How to Apply
The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is expanding.  At a White House ceremony on May 9th, President Biden announced a landmark commitment from 20... Read More
Nov
11
2021
Bridging the Digital Divide: How Broadband Kept Us Learning During COVID
While the COVID pandemic disrupted every facet of our lives, few areas were as affected as education. After the onset of the pandemic, over a hundred thousand... Read More
Aug
12
2021
Back to School With Broadband: Here’s What You Need to Know
School is back in session! And thanks to widely accessible vaccines, many schools across the country are welcoming students back to campuses this fall. This... Read More
May
21
2021
How an Internet Connection Changed Everything for a D.C. Family
After LaJoy Johnson-Law found out that she qualified to receive discounted internet through her local broadband provider, life as she knew it changed for the... Read More
May
12
2021
Connectivity Counts: How Broadband Providers Are Continuing to Close the Digital Divide
The public-health crisis of the past year has made it clear: broadband internet is an essential service. Across the nation, millions of Americans have relied... Read More
May
7
2021
For Teacher Appreciation Week, Shout Out to the School Partnerships that Helped Kids Learn From Home
America’s educators have gone to great lengths to make distance learning successful for all of their students. From dressing... Read More
Apr
30
2021
Distance Learning Beyond the Classroom: Building Community Through Chess and Trivia
With millions of schools shifting to remote classes during the COVID crisis, reliable broadband has been critical to keeping our students learning. To that... Read More

Hear from Parents and Educators

“The connection that we made with Mediacom is about more than education. An internet connection gives families access to social services, and provides access to job listings if their parents lose work. Broadband helps close the gap.”

Phil Roeder
The Des Moines Public School District, Iowa

“If the private and educational sectors come together, we really can wrap our arms around communities. We can wrap our arms around students. No matter what age, wherever they are, we can make sure we get them connected and address the needs they might have.”

Ashley Turner
Lone Star College, Texas